In 2021, Bo Burnham shook the internet with the release of his comedy special, Bo Burnham: Inside.
Inside focused on Burnham alone in his home during the COVID-19 lockdown and was entirely written, filmed and edited by Burnham himself. Burnham had been absent from the comedy industry for nearly five years, and with the world still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, his triumphant return was welcomed.
While this musical comedy special was able to stand on its own amidst Netflix’s other hits, its massive success came from how it explored Burnham’s mental health during the crisis. It offered insight into the world of social media from a star who was popularized using its platform and reflected the generally negative societal state at the time.
The special received critical acclaim and numerous awards for its philosophical themes, but Burnham otherwise seemed to return to his normal life following its success and the end of the pandemic.
On January 12, Burnham started a new TikTok account linking to a strange YouTube channel called “Outside” and began directing people to it from his other social media accounts.
While Bo Burnham has not officially confirmed whether the new TikTok account or channel is tied to a new special or another project entirely, these small teases have already excited content-starved fans. The timing feels particularly deliberate, given the platform’s impending shutdown on January 19–a decision that has sparked mixed reactions across the internet.
“If it’s legitimate, it’s a smart way to engage with younger audiences, who are already big fans of his,” said Mason Leslie, a devoted Bo Burnham listener. “But it’s also risky if it’s fake; it could disappoint a lot of people.”
Known for his sharp critiques of social media’s impact on youth, Burnham’s choice to use TikTok as a potential vehicle for promotion or commentary only deepens the intrigue surrounding his possible return.
For now, this is all the information he has shared about this potential new project, but fans remain eager to see what comes next.